WASHINGTON (NW) — A panel of judges from the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against an attempt to prevent the release of special counsel Jack Smith’s final report regarding his investigations into former President Donald Trump.
The ruling came after U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon had temporarily blocked the report’s release on Tuesday, pending review by the Eleventh Circuit. Judge Cannon had issued the temporary injunction as she considered the matter, but the appeals court’s decision leaves the issue unresolved for now.
While the Eleventh Circuit did not immediately overturn Cannon’s injunction, it ruled that the Department of Justice could pursue a separate appeal if it sought to release the report before this Sunday, when the injunction is set to expire.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley Crockett is representing the government in this case, which stems from the special counsel’s high-profile investigations into Trump. These inquiries have drawn national attention, and the final report’s contents could play a significant role in the ongoing legal and political battles surrounding the former president.
This development follows the efforts of various law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, Pittsburgh Police, and the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, to investigate matters related to the case. Additionally, the investigation is part of a broader initiative called Project Safe Childhood, which the Department of Justice launched in 2006 to combat child exploitation and abuse.
The final report from Smith’s investigation is expected to have significant implications, but for now, the legal process will continue to play out, with Judge Cannon’s temporary order set to expire in a few days.
As always, an indictment is an allegation, and the presumption of innocence applies to all individuals involved in any legal proceedings.
